A Better State of War: Surmounting the Ethical Cliff in Cyber Warfare
Abstract
This study analyzes the emergent field of cyber warfare through the lens of commonly-accepted tenets of ethical warfare. By comparing the foundational understanding of concepts that determine the justice of wars (jus ad bellum) and justice in war (jus en bello) with the capabilities cyber warfare offers, this work highlights both causes for concern and opportunities for betterment. The first chapter introduces important contextual information and definitions that frame the arguments to follow. Chapter 2 presents a theoretical overview of ethical warfare from which to build. This overview presents five core tenets: good faith, proportionality, non-combatant immunity, last resort, and sovereignty. Chapter 3 builds on this framework by analyzing how cyber warfare affects each of the core concepts introduced above. The fourth chapter presents a case study that tests the theoretical assertions presented elsewhere in the work. Finally, the conclusion offers a platform for further exploration and surmises opinions regarding ethics and cyber warfare. Cyber warfare offers both nagging difficulties that complicate existing ethical warfare standards and exciting opportunities to improve how warfare is carried out. Decision-makers charged with the authority to carry out acts of cyber warfare must understand the technical limitations of the offensive and defensive components of cyber warfare. Even more importantly, these decision-makers must appreciate how their actions in this burgeoning domain help shape emergent norms and standards that will promulgate through the domain. Cyber warfare has the potential to facilitate effects that were previously only achievable through lethal means. This is an exciting development in terms of ethical warfare. While B.H. Liddell Hart famously proposed the reason for war is to create a better state of peace, cyber warfare offers the potential to create a better state of war.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 2014
- Accession Number
- ADA620962
Entities
People
- Billy E. Pope Jr.
Organizations
- Air University